Be aware of what turners call the "red zone” or "firing zone.” This is the area directly behind and in front of the workpiece, the areas most likely for a piece to travel as it comes off the lathe. A good safety habit is to step out of this zone when turning on the lathe, keeping your hand on the switch in case you need to turn the machine off. When observing someone else turn, stay out of this zone.

Our History

Several years ago, a local woodturner invited members of the Woodworkers Guild of Western Colorado to gather periodically at his shop to share ideas and promote woodturning .

As interest increased, the woodturning group decided to become an independent woodturning organization. In January, 2014, the Montrose Area Woodturners, Inc. was formed. The group became a recognized chapter of the American Association of Woodturners with Dave Kaufmann as the first president.